Abstract: The primary processes of photochemical degradation of ofloxacin in aqueous solutions during spraying were studied in a photochemical cell. According to literature, hydrogen peroxide forms when water is sprayed into small aerosol droplets. Under these conditions, the photodegradation of ofloxacin begins with molecules containing electrophilic reactive centers, specifically the nitrogen atoms of the piperazinyl ring, as identified by Fukui theory. These atoms are known to be primary targets for hydroxyl radical attacks. Photolysis of H₂O₂ produces hydroxyl radicals, which participate in the photochemical degradation of ofloxacin. Adding 0.1 % isopropanol to an aqueous solution (10−4 g/g) of ofloxacin reduced the pseudo-first-order degradation rate constant by approximately five times (from 0.1241 to 0.0237 min−1). Since isopropanol is a hydroxyl radical scavenger, this decrease in the degradation rate constant confirms that H₂O₂ is indeed generated in the spray photochemical cell, converted to HO• by light, and involved in the photochemical degradation of ofloxacin. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, we estimated the concentration of spontaneously formed hydrogen peroxide in the spray photochemical cell to be 10−3 M. These findings may be useful for designing and implementing wastewater treatment systems contaminated with pharmaceutical compounds, particularly antibiotics.

Cite: Pervukhin V.V. , Sheven D.G.
Photochemical degradation of ofloxacin using spontaneously generated hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions during spraying
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A-chemistry. 2026. V.471. 116664 :1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2025.116664 WOS OpenAlex

Dates:

Submitted:	Apr 24, 2025
Accepted:	Aug 1, 2025
Published online:	Aug 6, 2025
Published print:	Feb 1, 2026

Identifiers:

Web of science:	WOS:001561721500001
OpenAlex:	W4413015260

Citing: Пока нет цитирований

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